“The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him”
Psalm 37:39-40.
Recently I watched an excellent Interview between Israeli journalist & author Caroline Glick, and UK political author & commentator Douglas Murray. She asked: “What does Israel have to do to secure the support of the west?” As a Christian, I was expectant .. ‘tell her about the promise, tell her about the covenant, tell her of Yeshua Hamashiach!’ Murray answered that Israel needs to build up its military and intelligence deterrent. I sighed and ached at the same time.
How I wished that I could have been on the opposite side of that table
to respond to her question, gently reminding her of Israel’s greatest and
only hope. To enlighten or remind her with her own scriptures, in the hope that she would be encouraged to rely on the Lord, not the west! To remind her of what the Lord has promised …
Deuteronomy 28:1-2: “The LORD will establish you as His holy people, as He promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to Him. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.”
Ezekiel 39:7: “I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel.”
Genesis 12:2-3: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Caroline Glick’s question about
support from the west was referring to geopolitical and even military support, but there was something more in her eyes that spoke to me most powerfully. I saw an international speaker of repute, feeling the pain of her beloved country and people standing alone, and a target of the rest of the world.
A glimpse of light, the promise of hope
A while before this interview, on the news I saw a glimpse of Israel reflecting its covenant mandate to be a blessing to the nations, in this specific case, to a people in need of hope. As thousands of Gazans were leaving through the humanitarian corridor, waving white flags, we saw at the roadside IDF tanks, their turrets pointing away from the people. They stood in readiness to protect them from Hamas. This was an incredible sight, yet the mainstream Western media were blinded to the significance of what was before them.
Israel was at that moment a blessing
to the people of Gaza, and also their shield. Yet I know that these comments will spark outrage for many, and so does the very notion of God Himself choosing to make His name known among the nations through one nation, Israel.
”BUT HE IS A FAITHFUL GOD, A PROMISE KEEPER, MANIFESTED THROUGH A COVENANT OF LOVE
Deuteronomy 7:7-9
But He is a faithful God, a promise keeper, manifested through a covenant of love (Deuteronomy 7:7-9).
Intriguingly this very passage references the setting free of another people under slavery. And there, before me
on that news feed, was similarly a
mighty protector shielding a fleeing people under the heavy hand of evil. Controversial or not, I choose to give
the glory and recognition to a God who (according to the verses cited earlier) will make His name known, and will make ‘the peoples see’, ‘the nations will know’ that HE is the holy one in Israel. Did you get that Caroline?
So, let us pray for Israel to realise God’s covenant through its Messiah Jesus. Our world will be blessed as God promised, when at the appointed time His holy name will not be profaned but known among the nations. As believers, we shout loud and proud that the only hope for the nations is Jesus. The following quote eloquently paints a picture of such hope, and as a grafted in follower of Yeshua I am grateful to be associated with His covenanted people.
“Israel was frequently commanded not to oppress an alien in the land. Aliens who settled in the land and worshipped the God of Israel were to be regarded as belonging to the house of Jacob. They were to receive an inheritance and
be regarded as ‘native born Israelites’ (Ezekiel 47:22). This was a foretaste of the day when in Christ the barrier between Jew and Gentile would be broken down and in Christ they would become one.” (Torrence & Taylor, ‘Israel God’s Servant, God’s Key to the redemption of the world.’ Paternoster Press, 2007.
Maranatha.
